Can Someone Explain Why Cutler Sits, BUT A. Smith is Cleared to Start?

**4th and 26** · 11-19-2012, 05:28 AM

I think Campbell gives us the best option to win right now while Jay is recovering from the concusion. I think it is more player safety to keep him off the field until he his 100% healthy when it comes to head injuries.

**matsellah** · 11-19-2012, 06:03 AM

Originally Posted by claymore58

I can only say that each situation is different,I'm a bit older than you,and have no idea how many concussions I've had.But I can tell you that some of them affect you more than others.
I often wonder if some of my memory loss is due to past concussions.
Considering that Cutler has a trackable history of concussions,he may be cleared to play,and the Bears are playing it safe.They have a long term investment in him,and it may be the reason he's not playing.
This is the reason they got Campbell for a backup,and he has prepared all week,so it's better that he starts.

Originally Posted by The Benjamin

This is Cutler's 5th concussion and they get worse the more you have. I believe this is Smith's first.

Even if they were each suffering their firsts, there are different grades of concussions. Playing with a concussion will leave you with a scrambled brain and suffering dementia like Jimmy Mac. I prefer to see Cutty live to see as normal of a life as possible. Not end up taking his own life like DD, or suffering through other mental issues like Jimmy Mac or the countless others who are suffering because of their playing with concussions through the years.

You want a "man" who is going to play with concussions? You got one in Brian Urlacher. He said he would lie about having one to avoid being sat. Watch, at the end of his life, he is going to be a drooling, brain dead vegetable. But, hey I am sure that will be okay with you, because he was a "man" and gave you the entertainment you wanted.

You guys are both talking to the OP, right?

**Boochee Man** · 11-19-2012, 08:12 AM

Alex Smith won't be playing tonight. Looks like he passed the first concussion test, but didn't pass subsequent ones.

**The Benjamin** · 11-19-2012, 10:17 AM

Originally Posted by matsellah

You guys are both talking to the OP, right?

yes

**JustAnotherBearsFan99** · 11-19-2012, 10:28 AM

I like the fact that the Bears have concentrated on Jason Campbell in practice, but the 9ers did have Smith practice this week, stealing reps from their backup. Also, Campbell is a seasoned veteran who has started in 70 games. The 9er's backup is green as a gourd.

**Jimmors** · 11-19-2012, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by JustAnotherBearsFan99

I like the fact that the Bears have concentrated on Jason Campbell in practice, but the 9ers did have Smith practice this week, stealing reps from their backup. Also, Campbell is a seasoned veteran who has started in 70 games. The 9er's backup is green as a gourd.

Great.

**JustAnotherBearsFan99** · 11-19-2012, 10:56 AM

Originally Posted by Jimmors

Great.

ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported Monday morning that Smith was unable to gain clearance from a neurologist, according to sources, meaning Colin Kaepernick will start against Bears backup Jason Campbell, filling in for a concussed Jay Cutler.
This bucks the flow of reports coming out of the Bay Area over the weekend describing Smith as someone gearing up to play. He practiced four straight days in a black (non-contact) jersey and was set to undergo a "contact" test Sunday.

Smith got reps for 4 straight days of practice. Kaepernick has only completed 19 passes in his entire NFL career. I picture him as a "baby" green gourd:

By contrast, Jason Campbell has passed for over 14,000 yards and 74 TD's (QB rating of over 82 lifetime, and a completion % of over 60). I'm pretty excited to see this game tonight.

I think we'll see a solid performance.

**4DaBERS** · 11-19-2012, 01:22 PM

Just remember Dave Duerson. Rest in Peace Dave.

**BearJim** · 11-19-2012, 01:33 PM

Originally Posted by 4DaBERS

Just remember Dave Duerson. Rest in Peace Dave.

Amen brother. Jimmy Mac isn't doing too well either.

**DieHard Bear ina Chair** · 11-19-2012, 02:33 PM

Let me be clear, I was in no way advocating players with serious symptoms being forced to play or playing when they are in serious jeopardy of long term damage. When I gave my example of how growing up I was back to school the next day & playing sports in a few days, I didn't have any symptoms that lasted longer than the initial day. Maybe I had very low grade concussions, but if you are STILL unable to pass the required tests & physically KNOW you don't feel 100% then I completely understand sitting for a game. What I DON'T like is when people go overboard with safety & wild with hysteria just because they've "heard" of examples of older players having major brain disorders that have not scientifically been proven to be linked completely with concussions. Many older players were also flooding themselves with steroids (proven to have major negative psychological effects) handfuls of prescription painkillers & often times mixed with alcohol. Many people were quick to blame Junior Seau's death on concussion related issues which were also struck down by medical professionals who studied his brain.

Again...my thread wasn't about player's "Man-ing Up" even though some people chose to make it that....I was asking if anyone had information about why Cutler was ruled out so early in the week but many, many reports were stating that Alex Smith was cleared to practice & was a good shot at playing tonight. I was hoping somebody had information about Cutler continuing to have symptoms or not since the ONLY thing I was hearing from every report & coach Smith was that "he is making progress". I just wanted to know why A. Smith was cleared mid-week but Cutler was ruled out.

I just saw this afternoon that A. Smith is now NOT going to play tonights game. This makes me all the more confused as to how a player can be cleared to practice mid-week but not cleared to play the game & what caused him to fail his final tests. More than anything, I guess, is that I wish the NFL would make fans more aware of how they label concussions & the process that follows.

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